innovations
Thinking around
sediment is getting more
serious and research
needs to move beyond
the physical chemistry
side to surrounding
issues of water systems,
such as the impact
of sediment on the
economy and food
production.
The successful management of water
resources depends on the cooperation
from all spheres of government, water
users, and stakeholders. The workshop
and outcomes are the beginning of
a standardised approach to ensure
more accurate sediment quality data,
facilitating comparisons between
sediment projects and ultimately,
the development of region-specific
guidelines. u
Dr Stanley Liphadzi – WRC
originate, who the users of water and
land use practices are, as well as the
impact of sediment on infrastructure
(dams, pipes and so on).
Dr Bridget Shaddock from Golder
Associates Research Laboratories
said they are busy with a research
project developing a preliminary
approach to sediment site evaluation
and associated risk. This approach
will look at consolidating available
sampling methodologies and the
roles of various analysis approaches.
Contaminated sediment and storm
water run-off was identified as the
long-term source of pollution in
aquatic systems.
F r o m t h e Va a l U n i v e r s i t y o f
Technology, Dr Akebe Luther King Abia
highlighted the lack of microbiology
studies conducted on sediment
relating to the pathogenic forms of
bacteria. From current evaluations, it
was found that people swimming in an
environment with these pathogenic
organisms bound to sediment, have an
increased risk of infection.
The Betsiboka is Madagascar’s main river. While the red sediment being transported provides
an attractive and informative example of a river estuary, it is a symptom of an ecological
disaster for Madagascar. Humans have felled and cleared the island’s natural cover of tropical
forest so extensively that soil erosion has been vastly accelerated. Much of the sediment
visible in the river represents an irreplaceable natural asset. Source: www. solarviews.com
Dr Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa, WRC.
Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2018
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